HYPOTHYROIDISM IN POSTOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY PATIENTS OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER- A HOSPITAL BASED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism is one of the side effects of external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the head and neck cancer patients.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in head and neck cancer patients with postoperative radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy.

Methods: This was a hospital based retrospective study performed on the data from 112 patients who have undergone surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for histological proved head and neck cancers for two years of period. A follow up of post operative external beam radiotherapy alone and combined with chemotherapy was done at 3, 6,12,18 and 24 month period.

 Results: Patient who have undergone only post surgical radiotherapy did not showed any sign of clinical hypothyroidism in early 3 and 6 month follow up period. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy together cause higher incidence of clinical hypothyroidism found to be in 26 (23.21%) patients at the end of 24 months. This indicates clinical hypothyroidism is more prevalent in chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy.

Conclusion: As a significant number of patients develop hypothyroidism following radiotherapy to the neck, thyroid function tests should be included in the routine follow up protocol of such patients.

Keywords: Chemotherapy, External beam radiotherapy, Head and neck cancer, Primary hypothyroidism (HT),